Daily Schmankerl: Bayern Munich pushing back Timo Werner until 2020?; Leroy Sane news; Nicolas Pepe to Bayern?; Women’s World Cup coverage; and MORE!

Bayern might wait another year on Werner (Münchner Merkur)

Bayern Munich’s reported interest in RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner might not be dead, it just might be on delay. Per a report from Bild that was captured by the Münchner Merkur, the Bavarians might wait until 2020 when Werner can join Munich on a free transfer.

This move would be against the principles driving Leipzig’s revenue goals, but Die Roten Bullen might be helpless.

According to the information in Bild, the club bosses of FC Bayern are considering to refrain from an obligation of Timo Werner this summer and to commit Werner only in 2020 - free of charge. (Bayern is) currently in talks with the Saxons, but do not want to pay the 60 million euros announced.

So rather than pay €60 million this summer, Bayern might wait a year and get him for nothing. Sounds like a great plan to everyone...except RB Leipzig. So what happens next?

Well, for Bayern to leak this information is a power move at the negotiating table: “We know your player wants us. We are not paying €60 million to get a player in 2019, when we can get him for free in 2020. And if you really want to play hardball, then bench your best player under a new coach and see how that goes in the locker room. Take whatever we offer or get nothing...your move.”

Even if Bayern eventually backs out of the Werner derby completely, there is no other way to view this most recent news than as Bayern firmly asserting itself in a dominant position for making a deal.

Still — and as you will see below — should Bayern splurge or overpay for a forward, I would expect all interest in Werner to officially cease for this transfer window.

Sane caught in middle of tug of war between mother and girlfriend (Münchner Merkur)

Manchester City’s Leroy Sane future might come down to which woman currently holds the most influence in his life...at least according to Bild (as captured by the Münchner Merkur):

According to the Bild, however, two women could ultimately decide whether Leroy Sané will move to FC Bayern Munich or whether he will stay with Manchester City. His mother Regina and his girlfriend Candice Brook are said to have the greatest influence on the international. But there is one problem: Sané’s mother and his partner - who the picture describes as a “glamour friend” - are supposed to have very different interests: Regina Weber-Sané would rather have her son back in Germany. His girlfriend, on the other hand, wants to stay in England with Leroy and daughter Rio Stella.

NYT nails this piece (New York Times)

The New York Times did a phenomenal job of capturing the life of a soccer player from a woman’s perspective. The NYT interviewed dozens of players on a number of topics and the responses were fascinating. I HIGHLY recommend this.

You will simultaneously be amazed at the sacrifices these women make and be pissed about how they are treated despite their immense talent.

Addressing the Pepe rumors (The Sun)

The rumors swirling around Bayern Munich’s interest in Lille winger Nicolas Pepe have once again spiked and The Sun has put out that Bayern is ready to bid nearly €79 million on the 24-year-old:

Bayern are ready to swoop in a £70million deal for the Ivory Coast international after struggling to agree a fee for Manchester City winger forward Leroy Sane.

Pepe is the fallback’s fallback and would represent a failure to land Manchester City’s Leroy Sane, Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi, or RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner. It’s not that Pepe lacks talent or production, but in my estimation, he represents “settling” and that is not what Bayern should be about at this stage.

I’d say leave Pepe to join Liverpool at Anfield or to cling on to Manchester United or Tottenham Hotspur as they each look to bolster their respective rosters. Heck, even Inter Milan is monitoring Pepe’s situation.

Looking for a perspective from someone at the Women’s World Cup? Here you go (SB Nation)

From the good to the bad, it is all covered in this piece.

ICYMI: Another podcast (Bavarian Football Works)

We did another podcast and talked over some of the recent transfer rumors regarding Manchester City’s Leroy Sane, Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt, and Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi. We also dug into the Women’s World Cup, which kicks off today and gave our thoughts on the group stage.

Jake has also tried to throttle down all mentions of #TimoTime, but I won’t stand for it — and neither should you!

FIFA 2020 trailer is here (You Tube — EA Sports FIFA 2020)

For those of you who indulge in gaming, tale a look:

ICYMI: Chris Richards is a burgeoning star (Bavarian Football Works)

Chris Richards and the United States might have gotten knocked out of the U-20 World Cup, but that did not stop the supremely talented center-back from opening a lot of eyes with his play. If you want to learn more about Richards and the amazing story on how he went from Alabama to Bayern, check out this three part-series.

Need to catch up on the World Cup action you missed? (@FOXSoccer)

Check out any of the action you missed with Fox’s 90 in 90 features:

• Germany vs China — 90 in 90

• South Africa vs Spain — 90 in 90

• Norway vs Nigeria — 90 in 90